But the 27-year-old had suffered a serious knee injury last October and has only just regained full fitness.

However, club manager Carlo Ancelotti has been impressed enough with his recovery to start Khedira in last night’s ­Champions League Final against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.

And Germany coach Joachim Low has been ­confident enough in Khedira’s fitness to include him in his ­provisional squad for the World Cup. Wenger is aware that Arsenal have first option on Cesc Fabregas , should new ­Barcelona manager Luis Enrique decide to let the Spain international leave. But the fee would be in excess of £30million – and Wenger would find Khedira a more attractive financial option.

Khedira has only a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu and would cost only £15m.

Khedira is also a close friend of Mesut Ozil, bought by Wenger for a record £42m in last summer’s transfer window.